Mystery...Suspense...Sci Fi...Romance... The joy of writing fiction - meeting new people in places that don't yet exist.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Writers' Conferences - Decisions, Decisions

Last year, newly retired and all ready to start my new writing career, I set a goal of attending two or three writers' conferences. I started checking and found there are a bazillion writers' conference to choose from. It was a bit overwhelming. I started by narrowing the list to conferences that focused on mysteries/crime drama/etc.

I'm going to admit, I chose my first conference based on location as much as anything else. The Public Safety Writers Association Conference in Las Vegas. The conference looked interesting and my hubby and I had been wanting to take a little trip to Vegas, so I signed up.

I couldn't have made a better choice. The PWSA conference is a small one, held in a single meeting room so everyone gets to attend every session (no having to pick and chose), and the attendees have a better chance to get to know each other. The programs were excellent, lots of useful technical information - the "get it right" stuff - as well as sessions on writing and getting published. In fact, this is where I made this friend...

It was a perfect place to get my feet wet.

The following month I attended Killer Nashville. This is a larger conference, lots of things going on at the same time. It's more about the writing/getting publishing side of things, although there were some technical programs, and there were more pitching opportunities (more agents/editors in attendance). Again, I was very pleased with my choice.

This last one probably doesn't qualify as a writers "conference" - the Writers' Police Academy. The WPA is a scaled down version of the training received by the local police. It's a great place to find out how things are really done, before you put it in your book. I loved it.

So I was three for three on finding good conferences. And this brings me to the decision part. I enjoyed each of these enough that I'd love to go back. I know what to expect and I'd have a chance to re-connect with other regulars. This appeals to me. But I'd also like to explore some new territory, see what else is out there.

What do you think? Do you attend writers' conferences? Do you prefer going back to the same ones, ones you know and like, or do you like trying new ones? Are there any you'd like to recommend?

Groaner of the Day: (last Friday's was a long one so I'll make this short)

Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says 'Dam!'

16 comments:

Funny, my blog is about the conferences/convetions I'm going to this year!

If you want local, Lori Foster Reader & Writer Get Together is in West Chester and it's only $50. There are some classes and you have the chance to pitch to an editor. It was fun last year and I'll be going again this year. The link is on my blog if you're interested.

I've been to a few conferences. One - the Write Stuff - I went to two years in a row. It's really close for me. I would love to go again this year but I'll have given birth to baby #3 a few weeks before the conference so this year is a no go.

I would say pick the two conferences you got the most out of and go again to those and then pick a new one. I love going to conferences!

About Me

Hi. I love to read and write mystery, suspense, murder and mayhem... you know, the dark stuff. But for this blog, I just want to have fun, with a little personal stuff mixed in. So stop by when you need a lift and I'll do my best. And please say hi. That will give me a lift, too.